Naeem

This song was originally titled "I Can Hear Crying," but Justin Vernon renamed it in honor of one of his I, I collaborators. Naeem Juwan Hanks is a rapper and producer who was popular in the 2000s under the name Spank Rock. He is listed as a co-writer on "U (Man Like)." Vernon explained to Uncut magazine: "He's been slept on but he's one of the most inspirational artists I know. It's this whole personhood thing, and the album title has to do with this concept of a self - and the relationship between that self and everybody else. All of my thoughts have been about community in the last few years."

"Naeem" was first performed in Washington, DC in December 2017. It was later used as the finale in Come Through, a collaboration between Bon Iver and the dance troupe TU Dance. The shows, which took place in the summer of 2018, featured a group of contemporary dancers during which several new Bon Iver songs were premiered. Vernon told Apple Music why he decided to include the track on I, I: "It just seemed very anthemic, and a very important part of whatever this record was going to be. It feels really nice to have a little bit more straightforward–not always bombastic, not always sonically trying to flip your lid or something."

The song features a string section arranged by Rob Moose. The violinist used to be a member of the Osso String Quartet and played on Sufjan Stevens' album, Illinois. He has also worked with Alabama Shakes and Joanna Newsom.